If you’ve ever hosted offline seminars, you’re well aware of the amount of work that goes into the setup. There is a lot of groundwork, from preparing the actual venue to ensuring all of the equipment is in working order. While it may not seem like it, webinars, despite being virtual events, require similar amounts of preparation (or more in some cases).
Webinar organizers often sign up for webinar hosting platforms and forget about them until the day of the event. However, setting up the webinar hosting platform takes time and should be a key part of your planning checklist. Navigating the platform on the day of your scheduled presentation should be the least of your worries.
You need to be intimately familiar with the inner workings of the platform well beforehand. Here are some tips on how to quickly and easily set up webinar hosting platforms
1) Test audio and video
For your message to reach your audience, your audio and video need to be on point. This requires a flawless audio-visual setup.
A flawless audio-visual setup doesn’t require expensive high-end equipment. A quality headset, microphone and camera are the only must-haves. What is critical is that you repeatedly test webinar hosting platforms with your equipment for compatibility, that the sound is clean and that the video is crisp.
2) Explore the platform
Familiarizing yourself with the nooks and crannies of your platform is absolutely necessary. On the day of the webinar, there will be no time to figure out the location of essential features. Making your audience wait as you struggle with the software during the actual event will paint an unflattering, unprofessional picture.
By exploring the platform in advance, you will get a solid idea of the platform’s capabilities and get the most out of it
3) Conduct dry runs
Don’t overlook the importance of conducting dry runs. Thorough, exhaustive dry runs are the ideal way to spot any technical malfunctions that can derail your webinar. It is also an effective way to rehearse your part as the host or presenter for a smooth presentation.
Perform at least two to three dry runs in advance and have a few of your colleagues sit in as attendees. Make sure to run through the entire itinerary and smooth out any kinks in the technology or presentation.
4) Test on both computer and mobile
When setting up webinar hosting platforms, it is good practice to test them out across several devices. Conduct your dry runs on both mobile and computer to ensure that your attendees can join from any device, without compromising the quality of their experience. The last thing you want to do is restrict your audience to just mobile or computer users. Ensuring that your webinar runs smoothly on any device is the key to reaching your entire target audience.
Proper preparation
Following these simple steps while setting up your webinar hosting platform will ensure you deliver a winning webinar.
